A Masquerade Affair

by Elin Magdelene

  Brian stirred then his eyes fluttered open. He seemed more alert then he’d been the past hours.

  “Where am I and why does my head hurt so much?”

  Richard was at his bedside, reaching for his hand, “You fell off a bed and you are in the hospital. I’ll call for your nurse right away.”

  “Are you my doctor? I remember you from the restaurant,” Brian told him.

  “I am not your doctor and yes I saw you at restaurant about a week ago.”

  “Then you are a stranger and I’m not supposed to talk to strangers.”

  “Actually he is not a stranger since you have a part of him in you.”

  It was Vivi who had stepped out a moment to get some fresh air. Richard turned and they stared at each other silently. Except for the occasional communication with the medical staff on Brian’s status, they had barely spoken a word to each other.

  “I do?”

  She walked over to the bed and knelt by his side, “Yes, you do.”

  “What do you mean?” The child asked understandably unsure of the meaning of her statement.

  Vivi knew he would have asked that. He was a smart kid so she’d expected that question from him but she was not the one who would tell him the actual reason. The parents he’d always known would have to make that call.

  Her finger gently tapped his nose, “You see when you fell, you loss lot of blood and my friend, Richard, here was kind enough to give you some of his.”

  Vivi looked over at him and noted that he was not happy with her response. What did he expect? That she would tell the child “He is your father?” No, he would have to wait for the appropriate time.

  Brian looked up at him, “Thanks, Mr. Richard.”

  He wanted to tell Brian, call me dad but he couldn’t so he answered, “I’ll do that for you anytime you need it, kid.”

  “Aunt Vivi, did you know that I saw him at a restaurant?”

  “I heard you did.”

  “And you seemed to have been having fun with that spaghetti judging from the way you were slurping it,” Richard teased.

  The child chuckled then winced, “Ouch.”

  “Why isn’t the nurse here yet? I rang minutes ago,” Richard complained.

  “She is probably finishing up with another patient, Richard. I’m sure she will get here as soon as she can.”

  “Perhaps, he needs his own private nurse.”

  Vivi knew where he was going with that, “Don’t even think about it,” she warned.

  The nurse walked in at that moment, “I see someone is up,” she said cheerfully.

  Chapter Fourteen

  Richard glanced sideways at Vivi as they waited on the judge. He had followed through on his promise to file for custody. Despite her attempts to appear calm he could see that Vivi was tense.

  “She had better be,” he thought. After all he’d made a very important phone call to a friend who owed him a favor. He trusted his friend would be in touch with the judge assigned to his custody case.

  To weaken her composure even more, Richard pulled out an envelope and passed it on to Willie, his lawyer, “Could you pass this on to Ms. Whitman?

  He watched as her eyes quickly read the letter Willie gave her. Then she looked over at him with disdain.

  Vivi could hardly believe that Richard would go as far as terminating her employment at the company. But it was his company, wasn’t? She told herself.

  She was a lawyer and knew this was an attempt to ruffle her composure but she would not give him the satisfaction. Instead, she calmly slipped the enveloped into a folder. After taking a quick glance at him, she continued browsing through the pile of papers before her.

  “All rise, Judge Sandra now presiding over the case of Mcgallan vs. Elliot.

  The judge listened as both counselors presented their opening arguments. She’d gone over the case but was made even more aware of the nature of the case when she’d received a call from her boss.

  She had her reputation to maintain so when both lawyers had presented their positions on the case she said, “Will both parties approach my desk, please?”

  Sternly she warned them, “A child’s well-being is at stake here. It is necessary that you put your own emotions and disagreements aside and consider what’s best for him. I’ll give you two weeks from today to work out an agreement or I’ll be forced to settle this case here in the court.”

  She did not entertain questions as she instructed them to return to their seat.

  “This court is in recess until two weeks from today,” she told them bringing down the gavel.

  As the echo of the gavel resounded in the court room, Vivi avoided Richards stare which was direct and piercing. He’d not had a ruling in his favor so she had to consider it a victory for her in a way. She ushered her clients out of the courtroom and towards the stairs.

  Richard met them at the top of the stairs. He greeted the Elliots courteously, inquiring on Brian’s health then he turned toward Vivi.

  “May I have a word with you, Elvira?”

  She glared at him, “You can say what you want to say right here.”

  He shrugged, “Be ready at 7 o’clock this evening. I’ll send a car for you and hopefully, we can work out some agreement.

  “You’re assuming I want to talk with you. Besides, shouldn’t you be having that conversation―the work something out―with Emily and Ben?”

  “No, it was your decision to give up our child for adoption so it is you who will make this right. And believe me this is in keeping with the judge’s request about reaching an agreement.”

  “It will have to be another day, Richard,” she responded not wanting him to dictate to her. “I have a prior appointment.”

  “Then cancel it.”

  “No, I won’t.”

  They engaged in a non-verbal duel, and then he asked the Elliots, “Is it possible for Brian to come over to my house for a short visit?”

  “As your attorney, I will not advice that,” Vivi told them.

  She noticed the tightening of his jaw then he left them but not before he told Vivi, “See you at seven.”

  She stared after him, furious that he’d assumed she would do as he ordered. If he thought when he said “jump” she would simply ask “how high” then he had a surprise coming. She did not notice the exchange between the couple standing next to her.

  Promptly at seven o’clock her door bell chimed. She saw Martin, Richard’s chauffeur, standing behind the door. Of course, she could not talk to Martin behind the door.

  Vivi opened the door, “Martin, I’m so sorry he put you up to this. I told him I was not available today. Please let him know.

  “Sure, Ms. Whitman.”

  She returned to the movie she had been watching on the television. She felt good that she had stood up to Richard and knew he would not like it.

  Her success was short lived when the doorbell rang again.

  Surely, he did not send the older man to talk her into going?

  When she arrived at the door, all she could see was a huge bouquet of roses with assorted colors.

  “Ms. Whitman, I’m here to deliver these roses to you,” a voice said.

  She recognized the voice; it was William, Richard’s chief of security. Richard knew the right surrogates to send, she thought. William had been so kind to her since she first met him on the day her fan belt had broken. She couldn’t tell him to take the roses back to Richard.

  Forcing a smile to her lips, she opened the door to let him in, “Thanks, William. You can set them on this table.”

  “Mr. Mcgallan sent them,” William told her by way of explanation seemingly nervous.

  “I know. Tell him I said thanks,” she responded, trying to put up a civil front to William who was very loyal to Richard. She made a mental note to trash it as soon as William left the apartment.

  “You’re welcome,” was the response which startled her.

  Now she understood why William had appeared uneasy.
She had not seen nor heard Richard who had been following William. She’d left the door slightly ajar as she’d followed William to direct him to the table she wanted the flowers placed on.

  “What are you doing here?” she asked Richard.

  “We’re meeting tonight to discuss our son’s future. So you can come along willingly or I can carry you. The choice is all yours”

  She was dressed in a pair of blue jeans that fitted her curves snugly. He’d seen her with jeans also when she was at his mansion―and like now, she looked fabulous in them. No, wonder she seemed to wear them often when she was not in the business suit for work.

  “You have ten seconds if you want to change. He counted down the seconds silently all the time knowing she would not move from where she stood.

  Vivi stood holding the door, waiting to shut it when Richard left. William had already walked out the door but hovered around as he usually did.

  Richard’s eyes scanned the living area and spotted her keys on the dining table. Walking over to it he picked it up and walked over to her.

  He tossed the keys to William and lifted her effortlessly, “Lock up please, William,” he instructed ignoring her objections and struggles as he carried her.

  An hour and a half later, they were at his mansion. Why did he want them to dine at his mansion? Was it because she’d enjoyed her time here with him?

  He had been quiet on the flight and seemed contemplative. But there was one occasion when she’d caught him staring at her with undisguised lust. He had not looked away when their eyes met but he’d reached out to trace the contours of her lips. He had leaned closer intending to kiss her. She’d felt her heart raced and she wanted him to kiss her but logic kicked in and she put some distance between them. She didn’t want to give him the upper hand in negotiating Brian’s future.

  When they reached his home, Richard took her hand and led her to the dining room. He had purposely chosen to have dinner here because it would help her put into perspective the discussion they were about to have.

  He pulled out a chair for Vivi, “Relax, Elvira, I will explain my proposition after dinner then I’ll take you home.”

  His hand on her shoulder was reassuring and yielded the intended effect. The smell of the food made her realize she was hungry. She was thawing out her dinner when Martin arrived.

  She sipped some wine before trying the entries. She had some salad and garlic bread, and skipped the manicotti which appeared to be calories filled.

  “Are you going to try the manicotti?”

  “No, salad’s fine for me.”

  Richard sliced a piece of his and urged her, “You’ll like it. Here, try a bite,” he coaxed.

  She refused his offer then asked, “What are we having for dinner?”

  She decided Brian’s future was more important than her disagreements with his dad. She would try to be amiable so that she could increase her chances of convincing Richard to do what’s right for Brian.

  “Lobsters―your favorite,” he replied.

  “How did you know that it’s my favorite?”

  Richard sipped some wine and held her gaze, “You told me the night Brian was conceived.”

  Vivi felt the blush rising, “Please, Richard, stop.”

  Temper flared as his gaze narrowed at her response. She couldn’t be trying to avoid the very topic they had to discuss, he thought.

  “Please stop what, Elvira? Please stop talking about our son? Or please stop recalling the night we spend together, nearly ten years ago?”

  Her blush was clearly noticeable as he continued, “The truth is I can’t help remembering every single detail of that night, even if I were to try to block it out which I don’t.”

  Neither spoke as they stare at each other across the table. The tension that reverberated between them was only broken when the main course was served at that moment.

  Elvira stood looking at the cozy fireplace and the surrounding rich décor in Richard’s office. The last time she was in this room, they had been going over the legal papers for the new company he had purchased. But now she was very much aware of him after he’d made sure to remind her of their time together.

  She wanted to have the discussion about Brian’s future as soon as possible and be on her way. But Richard appeared to be in no hurry to begin as he refilled his now empty wine glass.

  “More wine?” he asked her.

  “Not for me, thank you.”

  He walked over to where she stood, “Tell me about him, Elvira. What was he like as a baby? How did he look?”

  She lifted the heart-shaped locket on her chain and opened it to reveal the picture of Brian she’d carried everywhere she went.

  Richard stared at the picture of his son for a while. Then he closed the locket and laid it against her cleavage, his hand unintentionally brushing her breast at he did so.

  “You carried him against your breast but did he even have the opportunity of breastfeeding from them?”

  Was that an undertone of implied criticism? She may have given Brian up but for the few months she’d had her son with her, she thought she was a very good mother.

  “Not that it’s any of your business but I breastfed Brian until he went to his adopted parents. And if you don’t mind, can you tell me your proposition?”

  He walked over to the cushions near the fireplace.

  “We will need to sit down,” he said gesturing to the sofa.

  She sat down on a sofa farthest from him. Sitting in another sofa, he studied her as he gathered his thoughts.

  “I would like joint custody for Brian,” he told her finally.

  “I’m sure that can be arranged. I will talk about that with the Elliots.”

  He nodded. “That could mean they may have to relocate here. I am willing to cover the cost.”

  “They won’t need your money.”

  His lips thinned. Why was she rejecting his offer when it was made in good faith? He would not feel guilty for being wealthy. He’d earned his wealth so he ignored her comment.

  “Brian will need twenty-four hour security protection.” He did not inform her that his team already had security personnel shadowing his son.

  She made no comment. He was right. She had to face reality; Brian could become a target being the son of Richard Mcgallan.

  “That’s reasonable. I will get back to you once I have talked with Ben and Brenda.”

  Assuming the discussion was over she made to rise. His proposal was reasonable and she hoped the Elliot’s would have no objections.

  “One more thing,” he added as she stood up.

  What was it this time? She watched as he also rose to his feet. She had a premonition this final part of his proposal would not be favorable.

  “I will not have sole custody of Brian so to compensate for that I realized I will need more kids.”

  So what does that have to do with me? She thought but before she could ask him that question she realized where he was going.

  “No, you’re not suggesting…” she told him.

  “Yes, Elvira, You will bear two more children for me or I will take sole custody of my son.”

  He had some audacity, she thought so she responded, “Honestly Richard, I’m very sure that there are thousands of women out there who would gladly bear multiple babies for you.”

  “Yes, but only one woman will guarantee that Brian is loved and treated fairly as my oldest child. Once you have my kids, you’re free to go.”

  She shook her head, “Please reconsider this proposal, Richard.”

  “No,” he responded sharply. “Take it or leave it. You said you gave him up out of love for him. You will accept my proposal if you truly love him―unless I was right when I said you gave him up for your own selfish reasons?

  “You’re being very unfair and you know it,” she told him. She grabbed her purse and walked towards the door, “I need a ride home.”

  “I’ll need your response on the date our son was conceived, Elvira.
”

  She stopped and turned around to him, “That gives me only six days to think about this.”

  He smiled, “So you remember that day also. It was one very memorable night.”

  She did not respond but walked away. Tried as she might, she could not forget that incredible night with him.

  Richard watched her go then he called and issued instructions that she be taken home.

  Chapter Fifteen

  Vivi presented Richard’s proposal to the Elliots and they gladly accepted it as long as they could keep Brian. How could she deny them or her son the only family he’d known? She had had to make a sacrifice for him. So she had accepted Richard’s proposition.

  Brian thought his biological dad was cool and had no problem accepting the fact. He’d always called Ben, Papa so he decided to call Richard Daddy to the delight of his birth father. The two were bonding, spending more time together and playing baseball which Brian was passionate about.

  Richard wasted no time in helping her plan a “small wedding” which contradicted her perception of small. He went with her to all the appointments besides the dress fitting. He wanted to have the dress makers come over to her but she had told him it would be more fun if she went to the shops to find her dress.

  He’d insisted that she shopped at some specific dress shops which turned out to be the most expensive wedding dress shops. When she’d protested he had argued, “You can pick whatever you want when you get there. I don’t care if it costs a penny.”

  So she had compromised. She would go to the shops he’d recommended but look for the least expensive dress that fitted her style.

  Emmy had accompanied her and had insisted she found the perfect dress for her very important day. The dress she finally settled on was a satin dress with an off shoulder lace finish.

  She had never thought her parents would have been in attendance but Richard had made a surprised visit to them without her knowledge.